"I don't know how they do it comma but this Voice typing feature in Google Docs is pretty stinking amazing exclamation point it takes the words I'm saying and {LONG PAUSE} text color red {LONG PAUSE} writes them {LONG PAUSE} text color black {LONG PAUSE} exactly as I say them period think of how this will change the way my students can access text with this {LONG PAUSE} bold {LONG PAUSE} incredible feature exclamation point."

Seriously. I just typed that with my voice. Want to see for yourself? Open up a Google Doc, click on Tools, then Voice typing . . . and then start speaking exactly what I just wrote. Incredible!

I was asked to cover a Wired Wednesday class at MSU-Billings this week. Typical participants are classroom teachers who are looking to better integrate the technology they already have into their curriculum. When I saw the topic (Assistive Technology), I will admit that I had myself a little panic attack. As I was a 4th/5th grade mainstream classroom teacher, I have very little knowledge when it comes to such matters; I consulted one of our district experts, Cecily Zyph, to see if she could give me some guidance. As far as specific devices or pieces of assistive technology (switches, magnifiers, hearing-aid compatibility, etc), she informed me that those are used only by students whose IEP dictates that they receive them, and that most classroom teachers would have to be made well-aware if one of their students had a need for such technology. In fact, in researching the law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that school districts are required to consider if there is a device that will "increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities” of a child in special education. If it is determined by the child's IEP team that the answer to any of those criteria is yes, then the school district must provide certain services. It also means that a qualified evaluator must complete an assistive technology evaluation AND if that the evaluator recommends a device, it must not only be acquired, but that training for the student, his family, and his educational team must be provided, too.

Knowing that I didn't need to be an expert to talk about assistive technology did, indeed, make me feel better, but that still left the dilemma . . . what could I show these teachers? And so I thought about what I do know: Google.

Thankfully, there are many Chrome apps and extensions to aid in assistive technology. One of my recent favorites is Read & Write for Google. The Premium tool is free for educators, but districts must pay for this extension to be added to student accounts. The purpose of this tool is to increase the accessibility of text for users in Chrome. Whether used in a Google Doc, on a website, or in a PDF, Read & Write for Google launches a set of tools that range from a picture dictionary to a screen-shot reader to help emerging readers on their way to greatness.

When it comes to writing, though, it would be hard to beat this fairly new-ish feature in Google Docs: Voice Typing. It lives in the Tools menu of any Doc you create, and is easily accessed by a couple of clicks. Once initiated, the "writer" can dictate text, punctuation, alignment, text formatting, font size, and more!

Want to practice with a little guidance? Click on the image above or RIGHT HERE to give it a go!